He was here.

She desperately turned the knob, trying to open the door. Trying to avoid having to face him. Having to face the consequences of her choice. To avoid seeing the sadness and hurt in his eyes. The possible anger.

It was locked. She froze, her breath catching in her lungs.

Her heart was beating out of her chest as she turned slowly, feeling his presence behind her.

His icy green eyes met hers. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Her lip quivered as she struggled to hold them in.

She heard his voice. Smooth and melodic.

"You know his love is not enough. You know it isn't what you need"

"Erik…" She pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You know you're made of finer stuff. I think on that we're all agreed. It's time to leave him in the dust." He said with a hopeful smile.

"It's time to be who you should be. It's time to do now as you must and set the music in you free."

"Erik, please. I… I can't" she cried, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees.

He felt a pang in his heart. He couldn't bear to see her cry. Erik came to her and knelt to her level holding her in his arms.

"It's okay my angel" He soothed her. Lightly, he lifted her chin in his hand moving it to cup her cheek and wipe away the tears.

"In moments, mere moments drums will roll." He said softly.

Together they stood, Erik held Christine, her back against him.

"There you'll stand just like before. The crowd will hush"

There was a pause and Christine let out a small gasp as she was spun to face him. She looked into his eyes. They were softer now. Comforting. Safe.

"And then in one sweet rush. I will hear you sing once more." He pulled her closer to him cupping her face, their foreheads touching.

"Then music, our music, will swell and then unwind. Like two strands of melody at last entwined!"

Erik moved away from her to the new silver box he had set on the vanity. He pulled out its contents and walked back over to Christine. He turned her to face the large mirror on the wall and placed a beautiful sapphire necklace around her neck.

Christine placed a hand on the sparkling blue stones. They made her feel like a queen. She looked back up at Erik who had a smile on his face as he watched her gape at the necklace.

"Fulfill us. Complete us. Make us whole. Seal our bond forevermore." He spun her around to face him, running his hands through the few curls that had been left out of the elegant bun.

Christine felt another tear fall down her cheek as she looked down to the ground between them. She wanted more than anything to be with Erik. She could stay here with him. They could have a good life. They could be a real family with Gustave. Christine would finally be with someone who truly loves her and her child. She looked up and saw pure love in his eyes.

How she loved this man!

"Tonight, for me embrace your destiny. Let me hear you sing once more!"

"I want to sing for you, Erik. Truly I do. I want to be with you and love you!" She cried as she hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. Erik's eyes lit up as he eagerly hugged her back.

"Then do it! We can stay here and live in the park. Oh, Christine. I promise to love you and Gustave and treat you both as royalty!" He said, his smile bigger than Christine had ever seen before. She giggled at the sight.

Suddenly she became very serious as she remembered Raoul's promise. "But Erik, what of Raoul? He has begged me to go away with him. He said he would change. I am still married to him. How can I deny my husband?"

Erik's demeanor grew dark. His voice became deep and threatening. His eyes turned back to their icy green glare.

"That fop doesn't know how to change. He's just a mean drunk who gambled his life away. He will never be able to give you the love you deserve." He paced in front of Christine. "And what about Gustave? We can be a true family!" He said, gently placing his hands on Christine's shoulders. He felt a pinch in his heart when he saw her flinch the slightest bit.

"We can be happy here," he began a bit softer. "Let Raoul leave on his own. We can clear up the divorce from here. I still have all of my savings from the Opera house and we have the profits from the park. We can make a grand life for ourselves. We will get the best lawyers money can buy. I doubt the fop can afford one. We could easily win that case."

How could she just forget about Raoul? He was her childhood sweetheart. They have done so much together. He used to be so sweet and gentle.

But Erik was right. Raoul did gamble everything away. If it weren't for this job that Erik gave her, there was a good chance they could have ended up out on the street. She couldn't do that to Gustave. She also never wanted Gustave to witness the abuse Raoul put her through. What if the abuse never stopped? How was it fair to raise Gustave in such a violent place?

Erik would never hurt her. He has only ever loved her. Gustave would learn how a true gentleman acts. Erik would be a perfect father; He would love his children more than anything in the world.

Maybe they could even have more. Perhaps Christine could have a beautiful little girl with her chestnut curls and Erik's green eyes. They could raise her, and Erik could be there for everything he missed with Gustave. Gustave would be the best older brother. They could truly be the perfect family.

And Christine would be happy. She would have a happy life again. She would be in love. Erik would be her husband. Never again would she have to worry about being punished for a bad day at the office or for money issues. She would know that Gustave would always have a happy, healthy home.

Christine wiped the tears from her face and hugged him tightly.

"I love you. I will sing for you, my angel of music" she whispered into his ear and kissed his cheek.

She loved this man more than life itself.

"There is only one thing I'd like to change first," she said with a bright smile on her face. Erik looked confused and asked "What do you mean? What is there to change?"

Christine looked deep into his eyes and said, "This won't be the last time."

Erik laughed and kissed her forehead. "No, angel. It won't be"

There was a knock at the door. "2 minutes until curtain Ms. Daae" they heard the stagehand call.

Thanks for reading! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. More to come soon!